Operational Excellence Specialist (6S) TPM6115

Tandem Project Management Ltd.; Cork; Hybrid; EUR 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Tandem Project Management Ltd. seeks an Operational Excellence 6S Specialist to lead the implementation and ongoing sustainability of 6S across laboratory areas in Cork. You will ensure safety, standardised practices and visual workplace management to support efficient, compliant operations.

You'll coordinate audits, deliver 6S training, and partner with scientists, EHS, Facilities and site leadership to drive continuous improvement and measurable performance across the lab estate.

Qualifications

• Qualification in science, engineering, operations or related field.
• Experience in regulated pharma or life sciences setting.
• Hands-on 5S/6S implementation and sustainability.
• Experience coordinating improvement programmes and audits.
• Strong change-management, facilitation, training and coaching skills.
• Ability to develop visual workplace standards.
• Experience collaborating with lab teams, EHS, facilities and leaders.
• Strong project coordination and stakeholder management.
• Ability to analyse performance data and report progress.

Responsibilities

• Lead and sustain 6S across labs.
• Own 6S programme and embed safety.
• Coordinate 6S across lab expansions.
• Conduct workplace assessments to improve safety and flow.
• Develop visual workplace standards.
• Plan and conduct 6S audits and track actions.
• Deliver 6S training and coaching.
• Partner with scientists, EHS, facilities and site leaders.
• Monitor programme performance and report metrics.
• Facilitate problem-solving and continuous improvement.
• Support change-management to embed 6S.
• Promote employee participation and ownership of standards.
• Identify risks and escalate issues.

Skills

6S implementation

Change management

Training & coaching

Visual management

Stakeholder management

Project coordination

Problem solving

Audits

Safety

Continuous improvement

Education

Science/Engineering degree

Related discipline

Tools

5S/6S tools

Visual management tools

Job description

Summary:

We currently have an opportunity for an Operational Excellence 6S Specialist to join a biopharmaceutical company in Cork. The successful candidate will lead the implementation and ongoing sustainability of 6S across laboratory areas, helping to create safe, compliant, efficient and visually managed workplaces.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and support the implementation, standardisation and ongoing sustainability of 6S across laboratory areas.
• Provide dedicated ownership of the 6S programme, ensuring Safety is embedded across Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardise and Sustain activities.
• Coordinate the 6S programme across laboratory expansion activities and ensure consistent implementation across relevant work areas.
• Conduct workplace assessments and identify opportunities to improve safety, organisation, operational flow and visual management.
• Develop and maintain visual workplace standards that enable colleagues to perform work safely, effectively and consistently.
• Plan and conduct 6S audits, track actions and follow up with stakeholders to ensure timely completion.
• Develop and deliver 6S training, coaching and facilitation for laboratory teams and other stakeholders.
• Partner with scientists, engineers, Environmental Health and Safety, Facilities and site leadership to implement sustainable improvements.
• Monitor programme performance and prepare clear progress reports, metrics and updates for key stakeholders.
• Facilitate problem-solving and continuous-improvement activities in a compliant and practical manner.
• Support change-management activities to embed 6S into daily working practices and team routines.
• Promote employee participation in Operational Excellence and encourage ownership of workplace standards.
• Identify risks, barriers and improvement opportunities, escalating issues and coordinating appropriate corrective actions.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Relevant third-level qualification in Science, Engineering, Operations, Business or a related discipline.
• Experience working in a regulated operational environment, ideally within the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical or life sciences sector.
• Practical knowledge and experience of 5S and/or 6S implementation and sustainability.
• Experience coordinating improvement programmes, workplace assessments, audits and action-tracking activities.
• Strong change-management, facilitation, training and coaching skills.
• Ability to develop and apply effective visual management and workplace organisation standards.
• Experience collaborating with laboratory teams, scientists, engineers, EHS, Facilities and business leaders.
• Strong project coordination, organisation and stakeholder-management skills.
• Ability to analyse performance information and prepare clear metrics and progress reports.